Dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle for filling and topping-off a tank in which the topping-off step is effected by a topping-off valve which is actuated automatically by an increase in line pressure which occurs when the initial control signal caused by the initial surge of fuel about the filler spout closes a secondary valve in the main line.

United States Patent Mayer Sept. 5, 1972 [54] DISPENSING NOZZLE [72] Inventor: Edward A. Mayer, Newburgh, NY.

[73] Assignee: Texaco, Inc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: April 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 134,992

[52] US. Cl. ..l4l/l28, 141/206, 141/302 [51] Int. Cl ..B65b 3/26, B67d 5/373 [58] Field of Search ..l4l/40, 41, 46, 128, 198,

Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Thomas H. Whaley, Carl G. Ries and L. H. Phelps, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT [56] References Cited 5 Cl 11 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,470,368 5/1949 Paxton ..141/302 l-EL ' -gL I00 I J- I8 I DISPENSING NOZZLE The present invention concerns an automatic fuel dispensing nozzle, particularly a nozzle automated to the extent effecting both filling and topping off operations normally required for properly filling vehicle fuel tanks.

The present invention is a progression in the course of development represented by copending applications:

Ser. Nos. 821,366, 821,364, 872,263, 846,099 and 826,313 which are now US. Pat. Nos. 3,586,069, 3,586,071, 3,586,073, 3,586,072 and 3,586,070, respectively; and therefore, an improvement thereon.

Each of these copending developments is based upon the conventional vacuum responsive lock-out plunger for releasing the main valve of a dispensing nozzle in response to a vacuum signal when the fuel surges about the spout of the nozzle in the inlet pipe of a fuel tank. The term vacuum signa as used herein, as well as vacuum responsive means, merely signifies and exemplifies one form of control signal which may, of course, be substituted by any equivalent type of signal capable of operating a suitable control mechanism such, for example, as a pressure or even electrical signal.

In any event, referring first to US. Pat. No. 3,586,069 filed in the names of Eugene Vest and Dean C. McGahey, there is provided a dispensing nozzle wherein closure of the main valve in response to the vacuum signal triggers or otherwise releases a control means to reinstitute fiow of fuel thru the nozzle at a relatively low or topping-off rate. In that embodiment, also, a predetermined mechanical time delay precedes the reinstitution of flow to meet a necessary requirement such that the initial surge of fuel about the inlet spout of the tank is permitted to subside before topping-off. This requirement has been found to be an essential necessity of all such devices.

In general, however, this equipment tends to require an extraneous source of energy for actuating the secondary flow operation.

Therefore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,071 involves an improvement wherein a valve supplemental to the main valve operates between full flow and low flow, or topping-off, position. The two positions of the supplemental valve successively follow one another in alternating order, in response to successive vacuum signals. In this embodiment the supplemental valve takes preferably the form of a spool type valve incorporating suitable controls for transmitting the vacuum signal.

US. Pat. No. 3,586,073, also filed in the names of Vest and McGahey, embodies a further modification wherein the supplemental valve comprises a rotary valve successively moving between two alternate high flow and low flow rotational positions.

US. Pat. No. 3,586,070 in the name of Moses B. Daniels, J r., involves a modification of the supplemental sleeve valve development.

US. Pat. No. 3,586,072 again in the names of Me- Gahey and Vest, involves a modified system in which the main valve lockout plunger is so constructed as to release in two successive stages so that final closure of the valve is always preceded by a partial closure at topping-off position.

In accordance with the present invention, the main flow valve is held open in the conventional manner either manually or by a lever latched in position and fulcrumed upon a conventional lockout plunger mechanism. The initial vacuum or other control signal, however, goes to a secondary lock-out mechanism which releases a secondary valve in the main flow line. Because the conventional nozzle is supplied with liquid fuel from a power driven pump, closure of this last named valve means results in an increase in pressure upstream thereof. This increase in pressure, in turn, acts to open a bleeder valve which delivers a carefully metered flow of fuel at a typical topping-off rate.

In accordance with the present invention the main valve may be held open thruout the operation and be supplemented by a second valve which effects the pressure increase.

Also, the supplemental valve, in closed position, ac-' tuates means to direct the next succeeding vacuum or control signal to the lock-out plunger which controls the lever that actuates the main valve, whereby the system is finally closed down.

In other words, the initial control signal goes to a lock-out mechanism which closes a secondary valve, thereby efiecting a pressure surge in the fuel supply line which, in turn, opens a bleeder valve.

Preferably also, the main flow control valve is releasably connected with the secondary or supplemental flow valve by means of a lock-out mechanism or plunger, so that the supplemental flow valve closes independently on reception of the initial control signal.

Referring to the figures of the drawing where one illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in detail,

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a dispensing nozzle in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the left hand of the nozzle as viewed in FiG. 1, with portions of the central housing broken away to show the internal structure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken centrally thru the nozzle on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2',

FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed sectional views taken on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views identical with those of FIG. 3 but showing the parts in different operating positions;

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view taken the same as FIG. 8 but showing the part in a different operating position;

FIG. 11 is a detail view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 8.

GENERAL STRUCTURE In the figures, a preferably cast housing 10 with a handle portion 14 receives fuel under pressure from the pump via hose 12. A valve, to be hereinafter described, within the main portion of the housing is actuated by hand lever 16 acting on valve stem 17, and is fulcrumed as at 18 on a lock-out plunger to be hereinafter referred to. The lever 16 is latched in the operative position shown or in either of two or more others in FIG. 1 by spring pressed latch 20. Spout 22 is designed to extend into the inlet pipe of a fuel tank and is provided with a venting aperture 24 which communicates via tube 26 with a conventional aspirator source of vacuum, which, however, is prevented from efiecting a vacuum buildup by the vent 24.

When the fuel rises about and fills vent 24, the vacuum sharply rises, transmitting a signal which, in the conventional system, actuates diaphragm 28 of the main lock-out plunger 29 shown in FIG. 3. This draws control pin 30 upwardly and permits the locking balls 32 to drop inwardly so that the plunger 29, which supports the aforementioned fulcrum 18, is unlocked and shot downwardly by the force of the main valve spring (and also in some cases by the gasoline pressure in the conduit).

The immediately foregoing structure is, of course, conventional and well known and acts to terminate the filling operation.

Also shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, main valve 15 is raised from its seat 36 by stem 17 and lever 16, permitting flow thru the passage 38 about the main lockout plunger previously described and into the spout 22.

SUPPLEMENTAL MAIN FLOW VALVE In accordance with the present invention, the main valve assembly 15, as it moves upwardly, carries with it (via a secondary lock-out plunger connection to be hereinafter described) a secondary valve 40 which just precedes it upstream in the flow line. Valve 40 seats normally on seat 42, being held in position by superposed coil spring 44 which bears, at its upper end, against the housing as shown (supplemented also by fuel pressure).

Valve 40 is actually lifted by valve stem 46 which, at its lower end, engages the main valve as shown. This action is supplemented by coil spring 48 which extends between main valve 15 and secondary valve 40.

- As above intimated, the interconnection between the valve stem 46 and the secondary valve 40 which it controls, is, in turn, under the control of a releasable lockout mechanism disclosed more clearly in the upper portion of FIG. 3, as well as FIGS. 6 & 7 so that the advent of a vacuum signal will release the interconnection between the secondary valve 40 and its stem 46 and thus coil spring 44 supplemented by the gasoline pressure will drive secondary valve 40 to closed position.

This lock-out device is identical in principle and similar in arrangement with the main lock-out plunger previously described, as well as the one, for example, disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,582,195. It comprises a central cage member 50 integral with and forming the head of the valve stem 46, which cage member contains a plurality of steel balls 52. These, in turn, lock against an internal shoulder as shown on an upward cylindrical sleeve or extension 53 of valve 40. The balls 52 are held in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, that is to say, against the internal shoulder of cylindrical sleeve 53, by central pin 54 tapered as at 56. Pin 54, in turn, is coupled to diaphragm 58 and normally biased downwardly by coil spring 60 in chamber 62.

Now therefore, when a sufficient vacuum signal, for example, reaches chamber 62, the differential between atmospheric pressure and the vacuum signal overcomes the effect of the spring 60, and diaphragm 58 withdraws pin 54 upwardly so that the balls 52 collapse inwardly past the taper 56. This, in turn, releases the valve 40 from interconnection with the valve stem 46 so that valve 40 sharply closes. Therefore, the fluid pressure above valve 40 sharply increases.

BLEEDER VALVE Referring now to the top-off or bleeder valve, this comprises preferably a poppet valve 64 or other suitable alternate such as a ball type check which seats on a port in the housing 10 as shown andis provided with a stem 66. The poppet valve is held in normally closed position by spring 108 acting against retainer 109 fastened to the extremity thereof.

A diaphragm 68 is held in position as shown in FIG. 3 by a cover member 70 which is bolted on to the main housing 10 by means of fasteners 72 (FIG. 2) to form an internal chamber 74 to the left of the diaphragm 68 and to hold the diaphragm in position.

The diaphragm 68 is supplemented by a central plate, stiffener or loosely fitted piston 106, that is to say, a piston shaped member with sufficiently generous lateral clearance to permit wide flexing of the diaphragm. The piston shaped member or stiffener 106 is fastened on the inner side of the diaphragm namely to the right side as shown in FIG. 3 and normally with some clearance from the end of the valve stem 66.

Pressure in chamber 74 is controlled by passageway 76 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is bored in casting I0 and cover 70 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7. The outer or left hand end of the conduit 76 communicates with the chamber 74 as shown, whereas the inner end communicates with the interior of the fluid passageway in casting 10 upstream of the valve 40.

Now, therefore, with the main valve 15 latched in open position as shown in FIG. 3, as by actuating valve lever upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 and engaging it with latch 20, the secondary valve 40 is likewise raised from its seat 42. As a result, flow of fluid ensues thru the successive valves 40 and 15, thence thru the dispensing nozzle and into the tank. During this operation the pressure drop across the secondary valve 40 is relatively negligible. Also, at this time spring 69 actuates diaphragm 68 to expel fluid from the chamber 74. This is possible because the pressure drop across valve 40 is negligible and because the pressure upstream of valve 40 is communicated thru passage 76 to chamber 74. The pressure downstream of valve 40 is communicated thru aperture 79 in housing 10 to the spring side of diaphragm 68 in chamber 78.

When the first surge of fuel reaches the inlet pipe of the tank and the resultant control signal is imposed on chamber 62 there is a sharp retraction of pin 54 and collapse of the balls 52 so that valve 40 snaps shut as heretofore mentioned.

As a result, fluid pressure (originating in the pump meter not shown) rises inside the chamber upstream of valve 40. Because it cannot escape by way of closed poppet valve 64, the resulting pressure gradient between chamber 74 and chamber 78 results in flow via passageway 76 into control chamber 74 where it ultimately overcomes coil spring 69 and whatever pressure prevails in volume 78, opening poppet valve 64.

Thus, as the fluid flowing in passageway 76 fills chamber 74, in time, the piston 106 or plate will move to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 where it contacts the stem 66. It then will move to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 where the piston 106 has forced valve 64 open.

Since the downstream side of poppet valve 64 is open to valve 15, the secondary flow thru the poppet valve thereupon passes out to the delivery spout.

VACUUM SIGNAL CONTROL In accordance with the present invention, means is also provided for ultimately terminating the operation upon the completion of the topping-off process. This involves a signal control valve shown more in detail in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, which opens, in response to closure of secondary valve 40, to transmit the vacuum signal to the diaphragm of the main valve lock-out plunger 29.

Starting with the control signal itself, the periphery check valve 80, under the influence of liquid flow, in conventional manner acts as an aspirator. The vacuum is normally vented via the tube 26 and aperture 24 previously mentioned.

This system is also in direct communication at all times with the aforementioned chamber 62 (which controls secondary valve 40) via bore or conduit 82 as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2. It is also shown by full lines in FIGS. 8, and 9. Conduit 82 communicates with lateral branch 84 (capped as at 107) which leads to valve 86. Valve 86, as shown on FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, comprises a valve head 87 mounted on a stem 88 and pressed to the left by coil spring 89 which seats against sleeve 90 which is fixed to the housing 10. The inlet chamber is sealed by diaphragm 91.

Accordingly, therefore, valve head 87 is normally maintained firmly in closed position against valve seat 92 but is opened by arm or projection 93 mounted on rotatable shaft 94 which, in turn, is actuated by lever arm or projecting actuator 95, likewise fastened to shaft 94.

As will be seen more clearly from FIGS. 6 and 7, the arm or lever 95 is engaged by a flange 96 on the upper extremity of the tubular or cylindrical extension previously mentioned, which projects vertically upward from valve 40. Therefore, with the supplemental valve 40 in closed position its integral flange 96 impinges the lever arm 95 and rotates the shaft 94 slightly in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This, in turn, rotates lever arm 93 (FIG. 8) in the same angular direction thru a predetermined arc. Since the valve stem of the signal control valve 86 is supplied with a diametrically disposed projecting pin 41, the arms of the lever 93, as shown more clearly in FIG. I], draw the valve stem 88 to the right as viewed therein, against the tension of coil spring 89, thereby moving the parts to the position shown more clearly in FIG. 10. At this time it will be observed that valve 86 is withdrawn from valve seat 92, opening free communication between the conduit 82 and the chamber 97 which directly communicates, as shown more clearly in FIGS, 8, 9 and 10, with conduit 98. This conduit as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, communicates directly with the space above the diaphragm of the main valve lockout plunger.

Therefore, with valve 40 closed and the signal control valve 86 accordingly in open position, the vacuum signal will be transmitted above the diaphragm 28 of the main valve lock-out plunger 29 thereby releasing the main control lever and closing the main valve.

By way of filling out details, access to the signal control valve'86 is conveniently had via cap 99 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 and in muchgreater detail in FIG. 8. As indicated, cap 99 is provided with a suitable gasket and fits in the bore occupied by the valve 86, in turn, holding in place the other parts of the valve comprising the valve inlet chamber and diaphragm. The cap is, in turn, held in place by an L-shaped clamping bar 100, held in position by machine screw 102. Accordingly, cap 99 is readily removable by removing fastener 102.

No detailed description of the main valve lock-out plunger mechanism is given herein for the reason that this is conventional and amply described in the prior art, as, for example, copending application Ser. No. 872,263 and the references referred to therein.

OPERATION Referring now to the overall operation of the device, the attendant inserts the spout 22 into the tank inlet tube and raises and latches the lever 16 in an open position of the valve 15. This simultaneously raises valve 40 from its seat so that filling proceeds at a high rate. The spring 69 at the same time pushes all fluid out of cavity 74.

When the first surge of liquid reaches thefiller tube of the gasoline tank, orifice 24 is momentarily filled inducing a sharp vacuum signal in conduit 82 and causing diaphragm 58 of the secondary lock-out plunger to retract pin 54, thereby releasing secondary valve 40 which is snapped closed by spring 44 and the line pressure.

The immediate increase in pressure in the chamber above valve 40 then causes a pressure gradient and resulting flow which thus is transmitted via conduit 76 into chamber 74 thus moving poppet or bleeder valve 64 toward open position (after a delay which occurs before stem 66 is pressed open during the filling of cavity 74), so that a small, controlled flow of fuel passes about the poppet valve thru the passageways described and past the main valve into the fuel tank.

In the meanwhile the closure of valve 40 has brought its upper annular flange 96 down into contact with lever arm 95, rotating the lever arm, the shaft'94 on which it is mounted and the corresponding lever arm 93 thru a distance sufficient to cause it to react against 7 pins 41 of the control valve stem 88 and open the valve to the position shown in FIG. 10.

This, therefore, brings the main signal conduit 82 into communication with conduit 98 and with diaphragm 28 of of the main lock-out plunger 29.

When the rise of fuel about vent 24 again creates a vacuum signal it acts upon theupper surface of the diaphragm 28, to release the main lock-out plunger so that the fulcrum 18 of control lever 16 is driven downwardly by the spring 48 as the main valve 15 is closed.

Again it is to be noted that detailed description of the lock-out plunger is not given since-it is conventional in the art and disclosed in the aforesaid prior copending applications, and the prior art is made a part thereof.

It may be noted also that lock-outplungers conventionally tend to return automatically to locked out position upon release of the control signal. Thus, for example, the main lock-out plunger on termination of the operation is returned to normal position shown in FIG. 6, for example, by the action of the light, unnumbered spring. The same is true of the analgous construction of the lock-out control mechanism of the supplemental valve 40 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. There again, as in FIGS. 3 and 7, the unnumbered small spring urges the cage downwardly so that the lock-out balls 52 fall into operating position as shown behind the locking shoulders so that the supplemental valve is thereafter engaged for rigid coaction with the main valve as it is opened.

As previously intimated, effective operation of the present device has been found to depend on maintaining a minor time delay between the cut off of the main flow of fuel and the succeeding trickle or topping-off operation at the relatively low flow rate. Stated in another way, the initial surge of liquid in the tank inlet pipe must have time to subside, namely about I to 4 seconds, before commencing topping off.

In order to accomplish this it may be desirable to interpose in the passageway or conduit 76, which leads into the diaphragm chamber 74, an orifice or control valve to introduce a predetermined delay in the equalization of pressure between the control chamber 74 and the pressure in the chamber just above secondary or supplementary main valve 78. In other words, constriction of passageway 76 serves to create a delay between establishment of a high pressure in the main flow line and its transmission to chamber 74.

In actuality, however, it has been found that a small diameter bore, such as can be economically produced by ordinary construction techniques, may inherently produce adequate performance without an insert such as 110. Also, it has been found possible to achieve such a result by mounting the poppet valve independently of the diaphragm 68; that is to say, so that the valve stem 66 is not directly attached to the diaphragm. Then, if a small space is left between the diaphragm and the valve in normal closed position, the diaphragm will move a substantial distance before impinging the valve stem 66. This, however, requires the provision of a separate valve spring 108 and retainer 109 on stem 66, which normally retains the valve in closed position.

lclaim:

1. An automatic dispensing nozzle adapted to be supplied with a source of liquid fuel under pressure for introducing said liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank, said dispensing nozzle having an internal supply conduit terminating in a filler spout, a main flow rate control valve in said conduit, releasable means for latching said main control valve in an open position, means responsive to a vacuum impulse for releasing said main control valve and means responsive to a surge of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse,

the improvement which comprises secondary valve means in said supply conduit releasably connected to said main control valve to open therewith,

means responsive to said vacuum impulse for releasing said releasable connection means and closing said secondary valve whereby to effect a pressure increase upstream of said secondary valve,

a bypass conduit extending around said secondary valve from the upstream to the downstream side thereof,

and a normally closed top-off valve controlling said bypass conduit and responsive to said pressure increase upstream of said secondary valve to 0 en said topif valve sufficiently to supply liquid uel thru said by-pass conduit at a relatively low top-off rate.

2. An automatic dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary valve is provided with means normally urging it to closed position,

and wherein said releasing means actuates said releasable connection to permit said secondary valve means to move to closed position.

3. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said secondary valve is normally spring and pressure pressed to closed position so that release of said releasable connection means results in closure thereof.

4. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein means is provided to effect a predetermined time delay between the creation of said pressure increase upstream of said supplemental valve and the response of said top-off valve.

5. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said vacuum signal is normally transmitted to said means for releasing said releasable connecting means, 

1. An automatic dispensing nozzle adapted to be supplied with a source of liquid fuel under pressure for introducing said liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank, said dispensing nozzle having an internal supply conduit terminating in a filler spout, a main flow rate control valve in said conduit, releasable means for latching said main control valve in an open position, means responsive to a vacuum impulse for releasing said main control valve and means responsive to a surge of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse, the improvement which comprises secondary valve means in said supply conduit releasably connected to said main control valve to open therewith, means responsive to said vacuum impulse for releasing said releasable connection means and closing said secondary valve whereby to effect a pressure increase upstream of said secondary valve, a bypass conduit extending around said secondary valve from the upstream to the downstream side thereof, and a normally closed top-off valve controlling said bypass conduit and responsive to said pressure increase upstream of said secondary valve to open said top-off valve sufficiently to supply liquid fuel thru said by-pass conduit at a relatively low top-off rate.
 2. An automatic dispensing nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary valve is provided with means normally urging it to closed position, and wherein said releasing means actuatEs said releasable connection to permit said secondary valve means to move to closed position.
 3. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said secondary valve is normally spring and pressure pressed to closed position so that release of said releasable connection means results in closure thereof.
 4. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein means is provided to effect a predetermined time delay between the creation of said pressure increase upstream of said supplemental valve and the response of said top-off valve.
 5. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said vacuum signal is normally transmitted to said means for releasing said releasable connecting means, with additional means effective when said supplemental valve is in closed position to transmit said vacuum signal to said release of said main valve. 